Inflatable Fender

[admiralslater]

One of the forward lockers on our Outremer is given over to the vast array of large fenders that the previous owner had purchased. I was thinking of get some inflatable fenders instead. I would keep a few of the ball types. I have seen Mega yachts use them.
Any thoughts or suggestions
David

[Mike OReilly]

I've used these inflatables for years. Have the heavy duty versions. Love them. I can carry four of them in less the space that one standard fender used to take up.

Easystow Fenders

[Paul L]

We've used these for 6 or 7 years. Good quality and good coverage when you use them.
Easystow Fenders

[Kenomac]

We use six inflatables by MegaFender out of Florida and plan to buy two more. Not cheap but well worth the investment.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I've used these inflatables for years. Have the heavy duty versions. Love them. I can carry four of them in less the space that one standard fender used to take up.

Easystow Fenders

Same with us. We have two standard cylinder type fenders for quick deployment but four Easystow fenders as well, two for moorings and two really large ones for fendering during tropical storm events. They work very well.

FWIW...

[rwidman]

How inconvenient do you think it will be to have to inflate them before each use?

I think it depends on how you boat and how often you use fenders.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by rwidman

How inconvenient do you think it will be to have to inflate them before each use?

I think it depends on how you boat and how often you use fenders.

It takes less than 20 seconds to inflate a 40 inch by 12 inch fender using the smallest size mini shop vac. Just hook the hose up to the vaccum exhaust like they do on the super yachts.

[JPA Cate]

We disinflated three large fenders 3 yrs. ago, and haven't used them since! I am sure that we'd dinghy pump them up if we needed them, but mostly we're getting by now with two large cylindrical ones, total length 36" diameter 11", one large approximately 20" diameter teardrop, and one flat fender, which we mainly use between the stern and the dock when we back in. And there's a small cylinder one that we use to roll the dinghy up on steep beaches, as well.

I think it's fair to say that inflatable fenders have their place, and their convenience to use may depend on your having the space to conveniently store a small shop vac for rapid inflation. Otherwise, it is merely a question of it being something you do on those rare occasions when you might want fendering, or additional fendering, and for which it is easy to plan time to prepare.

Ann

[a64pilot]

I have two large balls I keep deflated for that day that for some reason I have to tie beside that old crumbling concrete dock.
Not sure of their size but over three ft I believe


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[barnakiel]

Avon heavy duty are fine just somewhat pricey.

b.

[UNCIVILIZED]

On a larger cat you likely have plenty of room to store them, so little's to be gained by swtiching. Especially when you consider that the Hippety Hop style tend to work the best, & also be very durable. In that they get displaced less from in between the vessel & a dock than do cylindricals. And they're what you commonly see on commercial vessels, for that reason, & their longevity.
Their other drawback, besides required storage space, is that you can't much use them on/for/with fender boards.

[HopCar]

Another type of fender that stores in a smaller place are the flat fenders made by Taylor.
Taylor Made Products 2015 Catalog

[Snowpetrel]

I'd love a couple of these. Might get some next time I pop over to visit my brothers in Auckland. One tip is that they can be partially filled with water to prevent them blowing out in strong winds, and they can also be used to cart water and roll a dinghy up the beach.

http://www.haurakifenders.co.nz

Disclaimer, I know the owner of the company.

At the moment I have a mix of big round ones for the standoff distance and long cylindrical ones that can sit very low or be lashed horizontal. When coming into a low marina I set them almost at the water level, too high and they can squeeze up and out.

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[admiralslater]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Another type of fender that stores in a smaller place are the flat fenders made by Taylor.
Taylor Made Products 2015 Catalog

Do they have enough give in them to deal with bouncy conditions, ie big gusts of wind . I have never seen them used on larger boats. And by the way thanks for all the response

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by admiralslater

Do they have enough give in them to deal with bouncy conditions, ie big gusts of wind . I have never seen them used on larger boats. And by the way thanks for all the response

We've had the big white plastic balls explode on impact, but the inflatables have never had an issue including hitting the same dock at the same time.